Omiya Hachiman

Omiya Hachiman is one of Tokyo's more mid-sized shrines, but it is still very attractive and quite popular. Read all about it here and see a few pics too!

One of my favourite shrines in Tokyo is located in Suginami ward, where I live, and is named Omiya Hachiman. It's not that big and as it is in a really suburban area, it is usually fairly quiet, but during big events like Tanabata or New Years it can get fairly crowded. I wouldn't put it up there with other shrines like Hie or Meiji, but it is still a pretty nice place for a visit. In other words, I wouldn't make a special trip to see this place, but if you were to be in the area, it would be worth your while to drop in and see what is there. It is peaceful and has that "shrine atmosphere" which makes it very nice.

The main hall of Omiya Hachiman

I think it is famous for a few things. One is the archery (i.e. Kyudo) dojo which I believe is quite well-known. You can't enter the dojo without permission, but you can watch from near the door if people are there practicing. More of historical interest is that Omiya Hachiman is dedicated to the deity, Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning.

The lantern reads, "Omiya Hachimangu".

Look at the ema (the boards on which people write their wishes), and you will see that lots of them will be asking for help with passing exams. And lastly, the shrine also has some quite impressive torii (the big gates found at Shinto shrines). The Suginami Animation museum is very close, so if you are into animation then it is probably a very good place to go to!

At the kyudo range, an archer about to shoot

Omiya Hachiman also has a lot of mikoshi (portable shrines used during festivals) on permanent display. They are on the left side of the temple, in their own building behind glass. It is nice having them behind glass which makes them easy to see, but hard to photograph, as the windows have mesh all through them.

I love the traditional Japanese roof

Omiya Hachiman is pretty extremely easy to get to and is a great place to spend some time especially during one of its larger celebrations. Not only is there the main hall, but several smaller shrines as well which are fun to explore. And it is not too far, about a fifteen minute walk, from Nishi-Eifuku station which is on the Keio-Inokashira line. You can see its (Japanese) website here.

How to get to Omiya Hachiman

The easiest way to get there is from Nishi-Eifukucho station which is on the Keiko line. From there it is a walk, about twenty-minutes. Here is a Google map to help you: